Support cushion assembly

ABSTRACT

A support cushion assembly (10) suitable for use in medical institutions and the like. The assembly (10) comprises a profiled body with a waterproof washable cover containing a filling. The assembly has a first cushion part (12) locatable beneath the back of a person lying on their side, a connecting part (14) extends from the first cushion part (12) to a second elongate cushion part (16) which is locatable in use to support the person&#39;s abdomen and/or their legs.

This invention concerns a support cushion assembly, and particularly but not exclusively a support cushion assembly useable by pregnant women, and especially pregnant women when lying on their side, or during labour.

From twenty weeks gestation, pregnant women often experience difficulties in sleeping, and particularly in finding a comfortable position to lie down. It is widely accepted practice and recommended by leading obstetricians and Midwives for pregnant women to lie left laterally, which can help achieve optimal foetal positioning.

As pregnancy continues generally sleeping on the side becomes the only viable position for a woman, but this may be uncomfortable for a number of reasons. The weight of the baby can fall downward on a person's lower back. The weight of the woman's legs may cause discomfort and particularly on their knees. The health of the mother and/or baby can be affected by an uncomfortable position, and SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) can occur in the mother during pregnancy.

In hospitals there is a continuing battle to avoid infection. Infection can occur due to repeated use of items which cannot be adequately cleaned or sterilised as required.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support cushion assembly useable in medical institutions and the like, the assembly comprising a profiled body with a waterproof washable cover containing a filling, the assembly being profiled with a first cushion part locatable beneath the back of a person lying on their side, a connecting part extending from the first cushion part locatable in use beneath a side of the person, and a second elongate cushion part extending from the opposite side of the connecting part from the first cushion part, the second cushion part being locatable in use to support the person's abdomen and/or their legs.

More filling may be provided in the first and second cushion parts than in the connecting part, and the connecting part may contain no filling.

The waterproof washable cover may be moisture vapour permeable.

The waterproof washable cover may include medical grade polyurethane fabric, and may be in the form of a weft knitted polyamide with a polyurethane coating.

The waterproof washable cover may be stain resistant.

The waterproof washable cover may be made from profiled pieces of material joined together by heat welded seams. At least some of the heat welded seams may have overlapping lengths of the waterproof washable material located in the interior of the assembly, and all but one of the heat welded seams may have overlapping lengths provided in the interior of the assembly, with said one seam being the last to be sealed following location of the filling within the assembly.

The heat welded seams may be produced by high frequency welding.

The filling may be in the form of a polyester fibre.

A filter may be provided in the cover in communication with the interior of the assembly.

The filter may be liquid proof, may be hydrophobic and may be breathable. The filter may block air borne pathogens. The filter may be made of a nano porous composite.

The filter may be provided in the second elongate cushion, and may be provided in an in use underside of the second elongate cushion.

The second elongate cushion part may be at least twice as long as the first cushion part.

In a rest position the second cushion part may be curved, and may extend at least generally parallel to the first cushion part from the connecting part, and may curve inwardly therefrom.

The second cushion part may increase in width from the connecting part.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a support cushion assembly according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from beneath of the assembly of FIG. 1.

The drawings show a support cushion assembly 10 suitable for use by a pregnant woman for instance when sleeping on their side or during labour. The assembly 10 includes a first cushion part 12 which is generally rectangular and could for instance be around 385 mm wide, and 195 mm long. A connecting part 14 extends from one end of the first cushion part 12 and is a little narrower for instance at 320 mm, and is longer, extending for instance for 410 mm.

An elongate second cushion part 16 extends from the opposite end of the connecting part 14 to the first cushion part 12. The second cushion part is curved and extends generally parallel to the first cushion part 12 adjacent the connecting part 14 and curves inwardly. The second cushion part 16 also diverges gently to a wider end 18. A filter 20 is provided on the underside of the second cushion 16, spaced from but located towards the free end 18.

The assembly 10 is formed with a cover of a medical grade weft knitted polyamide with a polyurethane coating. The cover is waterproof but moisture vapour permeable, and is also stain resistant. The cover is made from a number of profiled pieces of material joined together by high frequency heat seam welds 22, and all but one of the welds 22 are formed with overlapping pieces of cover pointing internally into the assembly 10.

One weld 24 on the end of the first cushion part 12 which points downwardly and toward the free end 18 in use, is formed from edges of the cover extending externally. The weld 24 will be formed last, once filling material has been located within the cover.

The filling material in this instance is a polyester fibre, and sufficient filler is provided in the first and second cushion parts 12, 16 to act as a cushion for a user, but little or no filler is provided in the connecting part 14.

The filter 20 is liquid proof but breathable and is hydrophobic. The filter substantially stops airborne pathogens from passing into the interior of the assembly 10, but enables the assembly 10 to breathe. The filter is made from a nano porous composite.

In use the assembly 10 can be used in a number of ways but a typical use would be with the first cushion part 12 supporting a pregnant woman's back, and particularly the small of the back. The woman would lie with her side on the connecting part 14, and the second cushion part 16 would support the woman's abdomen, and may extend between her legs to support the knees. The part of the second cushion part 16 directly opposite the first cushion part 12 would generally support the woman's bump, whilst the part of the second cushion part towards the free end 18 would support the person's legs, and for instance reduce pressure on her knees.

There is thus provided a support cushion assembly which can be used by a pregnant woman to assist comfort when lying down and sleeping or during labour. The assembly is well suited for use in hospitals and other medical institutions in that the assembly can be washed and/or dry cleaned as required. The assembly is breathable and moisture vapour permeable to enhance comfort, with the filter permitting the interior of the assembly to breathe, but preventing airborne pathogens becoming trapped in the cushion, hence leading to infection.

It is to be realised that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance different materials may be used and assembly could take a different form.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. 

1. A support cushion assembly useable in medical institutions and the like, the assembly comprising a profiled body with a waterproof washable cover containing a filling, the assembly being profiled with a first cushion part locatable beneath the back of a person lying on their side, a connecting part extending from the first cushion part locatable in use beneath a side of the person, and a second elongate cushion part extending from an opposite side of the connecting part from the first cushion part, the second cushion part being locatable in use to support the person's abdomen and/or their legs.
 2. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which more of said filling is provided in the first and second cushion parts than in the connecting part.
 3. The support cushion assembly according to claim 2, in which the connecting part contains no filling.
 4. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which the waterproof washable cover is moisture vapour permeable.
 5. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which the waterproof washable cover includes medical grade polyurethane fabric.
 6. The support cushion assembly according to claim 5, in which the waterproof washable cover is in the form of a weft knitted polyamide with a polyurethane coating.
 7. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which the waterproof washable cover is stain resistant.
 8. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which the waterproof washable cover is made from profiled pieces of material joined together by heat welded seams.
 9. The support cushion assembly according to claim 8, in which at least some of the heat welded seams have overlapping lengths of waterproof washable material of said cover located in the interior of the assembly.
 10. The support cushion assembly according to claim 9, in which all but one of the heat welded seams have overlapping lengths provided in the interior of the assembly, with said one seam being the last to be sealed following location of the filling within the assembly.
 11. The support cushion assembly according to claim 8, in which the heat welded seams are produced by high frequency welding.
 12. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which the filling is in the form of a polyester fibre.
 13. The support cushion assembly according to claim 1, in which a filter is provided in the cover in communication with the interior of the assembly.
 14. The support cushion assembly according to claim 13, in which the filter is liquid proof.
 15. The support cushion assembly according to claim 13, in which the filter is breathable.
 16. The support cushion assembly to claim 13, in which the filter is hydrophobic.
 17. The support cushion assembly according to claim 13, in which the filter blocks air borne pathogens.
 18. The support cushion assembly according to claim 13, in which the filter is made of a nano porous composite.
 19. The support cushion assembly according to claim 13, in which the filter is provided in the second elongate cushion part.
 20. The support cushion assembly according to claim 19, in which the filter is provided in an in use underside of the second elongate cushion part. 21-25. (canceled) 